Saturday, November 05, 2016

Clifford H. Baldowski (1917–1999) was the editorial cartoonist for several American newspapers, including the Atlanta Constitution. He went by the pen name, Baldy.

This drawing of his is hung on a wall at Manuel's Tavern, in Atlanta, Georgia. Local politician Manuel Maloof opened his eponymous tavern in 1956; it would become a Democratic Party watering hole and meeting place. And Baldowski drank there.

To my friend Manuel Maloof, one of those rare, perceptive guys who gives a damn.

One of Maloof's children operates the tavern now. In early 2016, he closed it for renovations, which could have been an ominous sign, but not in this case. Manuel's re-opened for business in late summer with, among other things, several new 'craft' beer tap-lines.

This upcoming Tuesday evening, the 8th of November 2016, Manuel's will be a crowded place in which to grab a beer: sorrows diluted or huzzahs celebrated. Things might be gettin' bad, but NOT Manuel's beer prices.